Hi: a small number (maybe 15) Flushdeck Motor Yachts were also made using the Mk 1 hull, from 1981 to 1985. Around 5-7 of these are in Australia; I am aware of 2 in the Med. Here is a photo of mine, Aquabelle (1985) which has had both a boarding platform extension (originally a vertical transom with a steep ladder of a duckboard) and also a hardtop (originally a bimini). These motor yachts have a full-beam owner's stateroom aft with head, accessed via a companionway on the Port side of the saloon, which also gives access to the full-height walk-in engine room. The fwd accommodations comprise a guest stateroom mid-ships with dedicated head; a V-berth cabin in the bow; a day head/shower; and a laundry. Really a great passagemaker and/or liveaboard design.
One of the great cruising boats of all time!
Larry, interesting to hear your use of the boat deck, even in the PNW. My kids are going to love that area when I'm back in Queensland.
As part of my refit, which I'll post some info/photos on soon, I am going to add some removable railing to the boat deck. It is a huge area without the dinghy on it, but the PO removed quite a bit of railing to facilitate launch/retrieval of the 14 ft RIB. As a result its a bit scary on the port quarter.
I had to repair about 15% of the boat deck core. All issues arose from fixtures incorrectly installed, including the 3 inboard stanchion supports which had the longest period of water ingress. For those who aren't aware, if you want to fasten to cored deck then do it in stages: first drill an oversize hole, second fill with epoxy putty, third drill small hole into cured epoxy for self tapping (or threaded) screw. This way you will avoid creating a 'sinkhole' for water to saturate your core.
The pic shows the area of the one Stbd stanchion that had an inboard support. Most of the stanchions are simply fixed through the teak toerail, but ones with an additional inboard brace had water issues. The fixings for it were in the middle of the black area, which is wringing wet and rotten balsa. Part of the surrounding area was damp, so that was also removed.
Second pic is shows foam filled repair before fairing. Repair needed to extend under the teak toe rail in both directions to ensure all of the damp balsa came out.
Welcome back Larry, Been a long time since I have seen you post on any of the forums. Hope all is well with you and yours.
Thank you, Pat. It has been a while. We are back, and all is well. I hope we manage to meet up sometime this season!
Ouch! That looks painful. But good that the work is getting done properly. That will be one problem permanently solved for you. My boat had a custom davit installed at the port aft corner of the cabin. My 13.5 ft caribe can go straight out off the stern and swing around to the port side, such that there is only a gap of the width of the tender (4-5 ft, I'd guess) in the rail off the stern. I have a lifeline that goes across the gap when the tender is in the water.
If I recall, your boat is in Port Townsend. May I ask who is doing the refit work, and your level of satisfaction? If you don't want to post the info, feel free to PM.
Hi Larry, I'm a recent OA Mk 1 owner as well. My 1981 Mk1 has the Ed Monk designed 5 foot extension. I'm a past sailor and switched to the dark side as my sailing friends would say. We sail the San Juan Islands and points north. We are extremely happy with our purchase and we are staying warm!